While at the 24 hours race in Daytona, BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel spoke to BMWBLOG on the future of the M brand and how the electrification seen in the automotive industry is shaping up the M brand and its products. Van Meel mentioned in the past the possibility of an M electric car in the future, but one assisted by an electric motor rather than a full EV.
The M boss says that there is no timeline yet for a fully electric M sports car since the project relies on the development of EV components, e.g battery packs. But before an emission-zero M, the BMW division in Garching says an intermediate step is necessary. To help bridge the gap between the M Division’s current range of vehicles and a fully electric model, hybrid powertrains will be first introduced to the M lineup.
The priority of a hybrid M car will be to increase performance, rather than fuel efficiency. BMW M has always said that it will use whatever technology possible to deliver on their driving performance standards, so long as it’s able to retain its signature handling characteristics.
Electrification is no different.
So won’t be surprised if in the next decade an “iM” badge will be found on your next sportscar.
In the next decade? Really? Porsche thinks they can do it by the end of next year.
He didn’t say when. Next decade means within 10 years, right? We just don’t know exactly when
“We just don’t know exactly when.” Neither do they! :-)
lets not skip the fact you thought a decade was a year lol… jk
porsche mission E will be a flop
Merc already did some king of…CLS 53 AMG. Few questions. Do they plan to build true hybrid M car of M performance? Or even separated M brand? And what “electric” means – electric extra powertrain or electric turbo etc?..
Yeah not really the CLS 53 is just a mild-hybrid, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid on the other hand is the real deal. I suppose an M Hybrid will be like that, hopefully with less weight penalty because that Porsche is pretty damn fat
isnt the panamera turbo S e hybrid slower than a E63s?
Yeah it’s a bit slower but Porsche didn’t go all out with the V8 engine i assume so that there is room for the Audi RS7 to be at least as fast. If the V8 made 650hp like in the Urus, with the electric power boost the Panamera would’ve been a sub 3s 0-100km/h car i think, plus the Panamera was way too heavy to begin with.
If BMW does something i expect them to do it more seriously by significantly increasing the combined output or trying to keep the weight relatively low (if not both)
Eventually electric power train. Initially, electric boost.
Yep, eBoost with some regen capabiltiy is probably the best way to go for a M car.
No Turbo lag, regen, better CO2 figures, but battery remain small and not too heavy.
Hybrid M car? I don’t even consider that as M-car, I consider that as powerful, agressive Toyota Prius. I love hybrid hypercars, such as McLaren P1, but BMW M and electricity just doesn’t make sense. But, I won’t judge until they come.
are you dumb? the future of cars will be like that porsche bmw audi merc they will all use hybrid powertrains. and its not even bad its for faster performance imagine a V10 NA with an electric engine combinded.. dont know why youre thinking about a prius bruh its BMW M not a i3.
NA engines with electric motor… Then you say I’m dumb. You’re just another example of butthurt fanboy. Deal with the critics, cuz let’s be honest, today besides F80 M3 and M2, BMWs suck. Ok, I really like new 7 series, it’s just as good as S-Class, and 3 and 5 series are great, but honestly, besides that, BMWs are not “Ultimate Driving Machines” anymore. New slogan should be changed to “Ultimate Korean-looking Machines”.
I can’t wait for an electric M. If you have driven a higher performing electric vehicle you quickly become convinced. Electric is the future, and if I had a good choice of models right now I wouldn’t ever buy a car based on petrol based engine ever again.
It seems like we have different tastes. Hybrid hypercars are fantastic, such as P1 and 918, but I really can’t see the point of putting electric powertrain to super-saloons. Turbochargers are OK, but electricity and M3 just doesn’t make sense. It’s like eating beef with ice-cream. But again, I won’t judge until they come.😉
Nothing wrong with electric booster motors. The contrasting torque characteristics of E-Motor and ICE make it a good pairing – as long as the vehicle is not weighed down by the battery pack. Whether fully electric sports vehicles will ever be more than straight-line wonders depends on the weight development of the batteries. And then they should exploit all the benfits possible by fully independent, wheel-individual motors and steering and e-suspension.
Lets be honest the current electic cars, too heavy and dont do corners well… they look like crap…
Now imagine, if the German marks sports devision M, AMG & RS start making there own electic and hybrid models. A full fledge sports car, not heavy, super fast, great brakes, does corners, house good sound and top it all off the build quality of second to none…
People will notice, they not stupid, they waiting for the technology to develop, then we will see, who has the nicer all round car, toyota, honda, tesla vs German marks,,,
I guarentee you everyone will be getting the German marks, and when the supercars and hypercars will be involved in that game too in there normal affordable supercars and hypercars they game would be turned around.
Remember everything thats out now via hybrid and electic they are all in beta phase…. anyone know if whats the lenght to have the cars out now for 20years, trouble free maintenance, i guess no.
The Styling alone on all these elecric and hybrids are crap… lets wait and see what Germans come out with i bet you it will be alot better then everyone else..